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Microsoft Office 2007
Redmond has been busy: in the first few months of 2007, it has launched a new operating system, Windows Vista, and now the completely updated Office suite. Should you upgrade to Office 2007, and if so, to which version? Here you'll find everything you need to know about the different editions of Office, as well as what's new in Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other related apps. Check out our Office reviews, features, videos, news, downloads, price comparisons, and more.
Microsoft Office CNET editors' reviews
The good: Previously hard-to-find features now easier to explore; Word embraces basic desktop publishing tools; Excel formulas are easier to reference; PowerPoint presentations are more attractive; Outlook improves task and time management; improved integration throughout the applications; smaller application and file sizes; new file formats are easier to salvage if corrupted; document security is more straightforward.
The bad: Drastic design changes demand a steep learning curve if you're upgrading; new interface isn't always intuitive; contextual tabs and style galleries can be distracting; users of Office 2000 through 2003 must install converters to open Office 2007 files; no easy way to save work to the Web.
The bottom line: Overall, Microsoft Office Standard 2007 is a worthy upgrade if you need to make sleeker-looking documents and presentations to share with others, and Outlook is better than ever, but you can stick to your current software if you don't feel that it lacks anything.
The good: Previously hard-to-find features now easier to explore; Word embraces basic desktop publishing tools; Excel formulas are easier to reference; PowerPoint presentations are more attractive; Outlook improves task and time management; improved integration throughout the applications; smaller application and file sizes; new file formats are easier to salvage if corrupted; document security is more straightforward.
The bad: Drastic design changes demand a steep learning curve if you're upgrading; new interface isn't always intuitive; contextual tabs and style galleries can be distracting; users of Office 2000 through 2003 must install converters to open Office 2007 files; no easy way to save work to the Web.
The bottom line: Overall, Microsoft Office Standard 2007 is a worthy upgrade if you need to make sleeker-looking documents and presentations to share with others, and Outlook is better than ever, but you can stick to your current software if you don't feel that it lacks anything.
The good: Previously hard-to-find features now easier to explore; Word embraces basic desktop publishing tools; Excel formulas are easier to reference; PowerPoint presentations are more attractive; Outlook improves task and time management; improved integration throughout the applications; smaller application and file sizes; new file formats are easier to salvage if corrupted; document security is more straightforward.
The bad: Drastic design changes demand a steep learning curve if you're upgrading; new interface isn't always intuitive; contextual tabs and style galleries can be distracting; users of Office 2000 through 2003 must install converters to open Office 2007 files; no easy way to save work to the Web.
The bottom line: Overall, Microsoft Office Standard 2007 is a worthy upgrade if you need to make sleeker-looking documents and presentations to share with others, and Outlook is better than ever, but you can stick to your current software if you don't feel that it lacks anything.
The good: Previously hard-to-find features now easier to explore; Word embraces basic desktop publishing tools; Excel formulas are easier to reference; PowerPoint presentations are more attractive; Outlook improves task and time management; improved integration throughout the applications; smaller application and file sizes; new file formats are easier to salvage if corrupted; document security is more straightforward.
The bad: Drastic design changes demand a steep learning curve if you're upgrading; new interface isn't always intuitive; contextual tabs and style galleries can be distracting; users of Office 2000 through 2003 must install converters to open Office 2007 files; no easy way to save work to the Web.
The bottom line: Overall, Microsoft Office Standard 2007 is a worthy upgrade if you need to make sleeker-looking documents and presentations to share with others, and Outlook is better than ever, but you can stick to your current software if you don't feel that it lacks anything.
Microsoft Office apps CNET editors' reviews
The good: Microsoft Outlook 2007 lets you drag and color-code tasks and e-mails on its calendar; allows image editing within messages; speeds up searches; integrates with other Office software; adds straightforward e-mail security warnings; e-mails can display previews of Office files; offers new contact cards; and most commands remain in place from Outlook 2003.
The bad: Outlook 2007's new Instant Search didn't find recent content within Inbox subfolders; Outlook uses Word 2007's HTML for rendering, which leaves some formatted messages looking lopsided; expensive tech support.
The bottom line: If you work with Microsoft Outlook on a daily basis, this upgrade can make scheduling simpler and e-mailing more interesting. Still, we wish Instant Search and e-mail rendering were better.
The good: Microsoft Word 2007 adds built-in blogging and live previews of font and image styles; better displays complex features such as those for references and mass mailing; introduces new, smaller file formats; improves document security; integrates with other applications.
The bad: Word 2007 moves all of its commands; contextual tabs and style galleries can be distracting; new Word file formats require converters in order to be opened in Word 2000 through 2003; no free way to save work to the Web.
The bottom line: If you're ready to let go of old habits from previous versions of Word and want to make sleeker-looking documents, Microsoft Word 2007 is worth the upgrade. However, less-expensive alternatives handle its core features without the clutter.
The good: PowerPoint 2007 adds live previews of presentations and image styles; introduces smaller, less corruptible files; improves document security; integrates with other applications.
The bad: PowerPoint 2007 moves all of its commands; contextual tabs and style galleries can be distracting; converters required to open new Open XML file formats in PowerPoint 2000 through 2003; no free way to save work to the Web.
The bottom line: Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 makes prettier presentations, so an upgrade may be in order if your work is particularly image-focused and you don't mind relearning the application. If PowerPoint 2003 serves you well, however, it offers most of the same features, albeit with flatter-looking graphics.
The good: Microsoft Office Accounting Express 2007 is free; lets you manage eBay auction sales and purchases; has a clean interface; integrates with hundreds of online banks.
The bad: Some of the features within Microsoft Office Accounting Express 2007 require the paid Microsoft Office 2007, which isn't available yet; requires Windows 2003 server, XP, or Vista; time-intensive installation; expensive tech support.
The bottom line: You can't argue with free, particularly when the freebie is a small-business accounting program as nicely designed as Microsoft Office Accounting Express. The Professional version is impressive too, especially for eBay users--although not stellar enough to convert QuickBooks' legions of fans.
Microsoft Office features
Alternatives to Microsoft Office
Are you always rooting for the underdog? In the world of productivity suites, you don't need to pay a lot to get the basic tools for reading, writing and arithmetic. Read the reviews to find out what's in each bundle, from the freebies to the full-featured suites. Read more
September 27, 2007What's in your Microsoft Office 2007?
CNET compares the various Office 2007 editions to show you which features are included in each. Read more
January 29, 2007Sneak peek at Office 2008 for Mac
Mac users will have to wait until the second half of the year to get the new versions of Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, which won't look much like their Windows-only counterparts. Read more
January 9, 2007Quick guide: Office 2007's new files
For the first time in a decade, Microsoft will introduce new file types for its Office software. Here's what you need to know to use the new files in older Office versions and how older Office files will work in the new Office 2007. Read more
January 5, 2007Microsoft Office news
JavaOne '08: Sun starts delivering
At San Francisco conference, company touts a rich Internet application environment and a new cloud computing service. Plus, Neil Young sings Sun. Read more
May 13, 2008Podcast: HP's big buy
Grand Theft Auto sets a world record; Apple and HBO taking their rumored relationship public; and why Microsoft loves the Mac. Read more
May 13, 2008Microsoft's big bid for Yahoo
What Yahoo has, Microsoft wants. But talks break down, and the software giant says a proxy battle isn't worth it. Tune in here for the latest. Read more
May 13, 2008Podcast: Google wants your site to be more social
A massive earthquake hits one of China's technology regions, and Google joins the social-network data portability crowd. Read more
May 12, 2008In the age of TiVo and Web video, what is prime time?
The missing six million viewers who were watching prime television last May and have disappeared this year are still watching, but on their own terms.
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Microsoft Office downloads
Time Zone Data Update Tool for Microsoft Office Outlook
In order to address time zone changes, this tool will help adjust calendar items in Outlook after the operating system has been updated with new time zone definitions.
Download nowGet Started Tab for Excel 2007
This add-in adds a Get Started tab to the Excel 2007 Ribbon.
Get Started Tab for Word 2007
This add-in adds a Get Started tab to the Word 2007 Ribbon.
Calendar Printing Assistant for Outlook 2007
The Calendar Printing Assistant for Outlook 2007 is a program that provides an easy way to print and customize Outlook 2007 calendar information.
Microsoft Save as PDF or XPS 1.0
This download allows you to export and save to the PDF and XPS formats in eight 2007 Microsoft Office programs.
Calendar Browser for Outlook 5
Calendar Browser for Outlook is a groupware for booking resources within an organization, from meeting rooms, cars and projector equipment to team members and personnel.
Classic Menu for Office 2007 1.1
Show the menus and toolbars again in Microsoft Office 2007 (include Excel, Word, PowerPoint), as the Office 2003.
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats
By installing the Compatibility Pack in addition to Microsoft Office 2000, Office XP, or Office 2003, you will be able open, edit, and save files using the file formats new to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007.
Microsoft Office shopping
You have no shortage of options when it comes to Microsoft Office 2007 versions--and price tags. Microsoft Office Standard 2007 costs a hefty $399 list ($239 to upgrade), but you can find it for less online. If you don't care about Outlook, Office Home and Student is considerably cheaper at $149. Of course, you can also opt for the individual applications: Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Microsoft Office shopping
Microsoft Office Professional 2007 - complete package
Price: $217.75 to $499.99
Microsoft Office user opinions
by richlane (see profile), 03/08/2007
by m-r3111 (see profile), 10/11/2007
by Venture (see profile), 12/04/2006
by Kilo 6 1 (see profile), 06/15/2007
by Joe M (see profile), 04/29/2007
Learn about Microsoft Office
The ambitious, ground-up rebuild of Microsoft Office Standard 2007 presents drastically different interfaces and new file formats. The new Office looks so unlike its predecessors, it's likely to spark intense love-hate responses from users. This upgrade isn't for everyone: If you're patient, eager to try the latest tools, and willing to relearn most of what you already know about Office, then you may relish the challenge of Office 2007. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 can produce more-polished documents and presentations, and Outlook's new scheduling abilities make it a handier communications hub. Professionals who want to impress clients and coworkers with attractive reports, charts, and slide shows will find this a worthy upgrade. First-time Office users may have an easier time than veteran users getting their bearings.
However, if you only use a small fraction of what Office offers or you felt that getting the hang of Office 2003 was painful enough, then you might want to leave Office 2007 on the shelf or perhaps try it free for two months first. We imagine that power users who have mastered the nooks and crannies of the older versions will curse the steep learning curve. But take heed: the new era of Office affects even those who don't upgrade, and a conversion tool is needed to let older Office versions open Office 2007's default, Open XML files.
Office 2007 does offer complex features that you can't yet find elsewhere. However, it also falls short in key areas. Integration among the applications isn't as thorough as we'd hoped, and there's no one-click way to collaborate with others on an edit without either buying Microsoft's Groove online collaboration tool or working within a server setting. The advent of Office 2007 comes as a growing number of competing tools are simpler, cost less (if they aren't free), and handle the same core features. Oddly, despite its bevy of Windows Live and Office Live services, Microsoft chose not to build a bridge to the Web for all Office users.
Office editions
Microsoft Office Standard 2007 includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook in addition to Office Tools that manage language settings and pictures and include a diagnostics tool for use in the event of a crash. Households that don't need desktop e-mail should opt for Office Home & Student at $149 (no upgrade option), a new suite roughly equivalent to Office Student and Teacher 2003 but with OneNote instead of Outlook. The Basic package, with Word, Excel, and Outlook, only comes preinstalled on computers sold by manufacturers that have Microsoft software licensing agreements. At $449 ($279 upgrade), Microsoft Office Small Business 2007 costs $50 less than the Professional edition that includes the Access database program. Only the Enterprise and the $679 ($539 upgrade) Ultimate editions include the new Groove tool. And oddly, both the Enterprise and Professional Plus editions lack the Business Contact Manager component of Outlook, which corporate users might want for their marketing efforts.
Setup
Office Standard 2007 is smaller than its predecessors, at about 3GB. Unlike the Windows Vista operating system, the new Office does not demand the newest hardware. Office 2007 is supposed to work just as well whether running on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Vista. At a minimum, you'll need to have Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 or Windows XP SP2 on a 500MHz processor with 256MB of RAM (512MB or more for Outlook with Business Contact Manager, which comes in the Small Business, Professional, and Ultimate editions). However, of course, this rules out those still using older versions of Windows.
Microsoft Office pictures
How to install Office 2007
Do you need to read the 10,376-word EULA? These pointers step you through installation.
Office, then and now
Help--where did Undo go? Here's where to find that and other must-have commands in Office 2007.
Office 2007's new faces
Here's a stroll through the new face of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook 2007.
Microsoft Word 2007 RTM
Word's new Ribbon toolbar rearranges its basic text-editing features, while adding visual pizzazz.
Microsoft Excel 2007 RTM
Useful shortcuts to formulas and new chart-grooming tools can enhance the utility of Excel spreadsheets.
Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 RTM
PowerPoint 2007 introduces style galleries and animated effects for adding flair to presentations.
See all pictures
Microsoft Office videos
A walk through Office 2007
How will the radical changes modify the way you work with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook?
Microsoft Office 2007 files
Microsoft is forcing a new file format upon Office users for the first time in a decade. How can you get old and new Office documents to work together?
Microsoft Office designer explains changes
Office interface manager Jensen Harris talks about how Microsoft tested its users.
